How to Make the Browns Competitive (Next Year), Part Two

Solutions in the draft

If Eric Mangini is doing one thing properly, it's the way he is working to build the team through the draft. The Browns traded a great deal of talent in Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards, but they have amassed four picks and additional players in the exchange. 

In the 2010 draft, they already have 11 picks, and I would not be surprised to see them add more picks before the draft. Not only will this help the Browns bring talented young players into the organization, but it also gives them more flexibility to move up or down the draft board to target the player(s) they want.

I believe in drafting the best available player, but I also believe in considering team need. The Browns will almost certainly be drafting in the top seven in April. With that in mind, I have gone round-by-round for the first three rounds and considered how to address different needs the Browns have.

Round One

I am of the same mindset as Eric Mangini and many other league personnel in wanting to trade down. If they do, however, they need to focus on getting quality picks instead of quantity of players like they got from the Jets trading down this year. However, fewer teams want to pay top-dollar to draft in such a high draft position.

The list below contains some names that draft analysts believe will be available at the top of the draft:

• Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
• Eric Berry, S Tennesee
• Gerard McCoy, DT Oklahoma
• Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
• Taylor Mays, S USC
• Carlos Dunlap, DE Florida
• Jake Locker, QB Washington
• Jimmy Claussen, QB Notre Dame
• Rolando McClain, LB Alabama
• Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State
• Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State

One thing stands out to me in this list: there isn't one name that jumps out at me as a sure pick, especially with the injury to Bradford. 

The two players on this list who could help the Browns most immediately are Taylor Mays and Eric Berry. Berry is constantly compared to Ed Reed for his natural athleticism and playmaking ability.

Mays is a phenomenal athlete. At 6'3" and 235 pounds, he has the size and strength of a linebacker and the speed of a defensive back. If I had to compare him to any safety in the NFL now it would be Adrian Wilson. Mays may be the better immediate fit for the Browns, as he would be huge on run support.

Sam Bradford will probably slip out of the top five due to his shoulder injury. If the Browns draft him in the first round, it could be a steal.

If the Browns draft in the top eight, my pick is Taylor Mays.

If they trade down, look for them to address the running back position (Jahvid Best, C.J. Spiller) or their linebacking corps (Brandon Spikes, Eric Norwood).

Round Two

So far, the Browns have one pick in the second round, and unless Braylon Edwards starts catching passes in New York that won't change—barring a trade. There should be several talented players available at the top of the second round.

It's possible that Eric Norwood or Jerry Hughes will be available to upgrade the edge rush opposite Wimbley. If not, the Browns could look for a running back (Jonathan Dwyer, Joe McKnight) or a cornerback (Patrick Robinson).

Round Three

The Browns have two third-round picks, unless the pick they acquired in the Edwards deal gets upgraded. It gets harder to predict who will be on the board the later you get into the draft, or how teams will rate those players. The Browns could use these picks to upgrade the right side of their line (Zane Beadles, Kyle Calloway, Sam Young) or the pass rush and secondary. One player that would be interesting is George Selvie, who could make a good OLB.

Early Mock

First Round - Taylor Mays, Safety USC

Second Round - Jonathan Dwyer, RB GT

Third Round - Sam Young, OT Notre Dame; George Selvie, DE/OLB USF